Fort Worth: The 2024 US Open witnessed some thrilling matches, especially in the men’s and women’s singles finals, where two Japanese players emerged victorious, claiming the BWF World Tour Super 300 titles.
Highlights of Yushi Tanaka vs. Lei Lanxi in the 2024 US Open final:
In the men’s singles final, World No. 54 Yushi Tanaka faced World No. 34 Lei Lanxi from China. Lei took the first game 21-15 with powerful smashes. However, Tanaka, showing resilience, fought back and won the second game 21-18, leading all the way.
In the deciding game, Lei appeared exhausted and couldn’t maintain his earlier performance. Tanaka capitalized on this, playing with a faster tempo and winning 21-15. This victory marked Tanaka’s second BWF World Tour Super 300 title, following his win at the 2024 Orléans Masters.
The women’s singles final was equally intense. World No. 11 and top seed Zhang Beiwen started strong, taking the first game 21-17. Natsuki Nidaira, however, managed to cover the court efficiently and took advantage of Zhang’s errors, winning the second game 21-18.
Highlights of Zhang Beiwen vs. Natsuki Nidaira in 2024 US Open final:
In the decider, Nidaira quickly established a huge lead with 11-6, 18-14. When everyone thought Nidaira was going to win the title, Zhang all of a sudden recouped her focus and started to chase the points. Zhang was able to tie the score at 18-18, 19-19, and had a championship point at 20-19. However, Zhang couldn’t capitalize on that, but she was able to come back from one point behind to tie the score at 21-21, 22-22. And when she was trying to come back from 22-23 to tie the score at 23-23 when Zhang’s baseline shot was called in by the line judge, Nidaira decided to ask for a challenge. When Hawkeye confirmed it was out, Nidaira ultimately celebrated by winning the decider that was full of twists and turns 24-22.
In men’s doubles, Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul of Thailand overcame the newly paired Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 to claim the title. Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi won the women’s doubles title by defeating Thailand’s Laksika Kanlaha and Phataimas Muenwong 21-19, 21-15.
Meanwhile, Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Phataimas Muenwong of Thailand secured the mixed doubles title by defeating Danish pair Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund 15-21, 21-19, 21-13.
